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Available for your collection is an authentic, vintage U.S. Navy command presentation plaque for the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVS-15). This is a premium, official-style command piece—not a modern resin reproduction or lightweight pot-metal souvenir. The main insignia is made of heavy, thick cast bronze, giving the 10\" x 8\" plaque an impressive, substantial weight of approximately 3.6 lbs. Design Details & Historical Significance:
The insignia beautifully captures Cold War naval aviation design, featuring traditional officer/aviator wings crowning a circular central shield. The shield displays an angled flight deck layout with silhouettes of carrier-based aircraft, a lightning bolt design symbolizing advanced tracking capabilities, and anchors flanking the perimeter. Crucially, this plaque features the \"CVS-15\" designation. The USS Randolph was reclassified as an Antisubmarine Warfare Support Aircraft Carrier (CVS) on March 31, 1959. It served prominently in this role throughout the 1960s—including acting as the primary recovery ship for Project Mercury space capsules (John Glenn\'s historic Friendship 7 flight and Virgil \"Gus\" Grissom\'s Liberty Bell 7)—before being decommissioned in 1969.Condition Notes:
The plaque is in excellent vintage condition. The bronze casting has a beautiful, rich dark aged patina with highly distinct lettering and sharp geometric lines. The solid wood shield backing remains stable and structurally sound with only minor edge wear and faint superficial surface marks typical of a displayed naval artifact of this era. The back is flat wood ready for your choice of mounting or easel display. Dimensions & Specs:
- Height: Approx. 10 inches
- Width: Approx. 8 inches
- Weight: 3.6 lbsA highly collectible, heavy-duty piece of Cold War aviation and US Naval history. Please review the high-resolution photos for a closer look at the exact item condition.Shipping & Handling:
